Season 37
1988-1989
A New Chapter: The 37th Season Opening Concerts (November 1988)
Following the international acclaim of the 1988 summer tour to Vienna, the California Youth Symphony entered its 37th season in November 1988 with a renewed sense of prestige and artistic ambition. Under the seasoned leadership of Conductor Lauren Jakey, the 110-member Main Orchestra presented a sophisticated opening program on November 13th at the Flint Center in Cupertino and November 20th at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center.
November 1988 Concert Program Overview
The 37th season premiere showcased a demanding repertoire that balanced classical tradition with contemporary exploration. The performance opened with the sparkling precision of Mozart’s Overture to "The Magic Flute," followed by the centerpiece of the first half, Beethoven’s Concerto No. 3 in C Minor for Pianoforte and Orchestra, Op. 37. The second half of the program was notably highlighted by the World Premiere of Paul Setziol’s Four Scenes in Time, underscoring CYS’s commitment to debuting new works. The concerts concluded with the vibrant, jazz-influenced textures of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, a Symphonic Picture, as arranged by Robert Russell Bennett.
Featured Soloist: Lucy Chang
The November concerts featured the exceptional artistry of pianist Lucy Chang, who performed as the soloist for Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. Chang’s interpretation of the concerto’s dramatic Allegro con brio, lyrical Largo, and spirited Rondo movements provided a sophisticated center to the program. Her performance continued the CYS tradition of showcasing the region's premier young competition winners, setting a high technical and emotional bar for the remainder of the 1988-1989 season.
Media and Regional Coverage
Local media coverage of the season opener focused heavily on the immense dedication and diverse backgrounds of the orchestra's members. Roy Seto, a 17-year-old senior at Monta Vista High School and veteran of the Scandinavia and Vienna tours, was highlighted as the season's new concertmaster. Though Seto planned to pursue science at MIT, his leadership in the first violin section was praised as an "intangible" responsibility expressed through his playing. Similarly, the press followed the "road to music" of principal oboist Jason Alcock, a Gilroy High junior who made 100-mile weekly round trips for rehearsals while maintaining a passion for aerospace engineering. The symphony was also noted as a vital sanctuary for musicians like 16-year-old clarinetist Mark Arritola of Pacifica, who joined CYS after his school’s instrumental program was eliminated. These stories collectively portrayed CYS as a premier training ground where "serious" teenagers from across the Peninsula applied the discipline of the rehearsal hall to all areas of their lives.
March 1989 Concert
Concert Program Overview
The California Youth Symphony’s spring series, titled the "Second Concert" of the season, took place on March 12th at the College of San Mateo Theater and March 19th at the Flint Center, De Anza College. Under the direction of Dr. Lauren Jakey, the orchestra presented an evocative program that showcased their ability to transition between classical elegance and dense, modern symphonic textures. The concert opened with Mendelssohn’s atmospheric The Hebrides Overture (Fingal's Cave), Op. 26, followed by Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major. After the intermission, the orchestra tackled the profound and demanding "Mathis der Maler" Symphony by Paul Hindemith—featuring the "Concert of Angels," "Entombment," and "Temptation of St. Anthony"—and concluded with the spirited and folk-influenced "The Wasps" Overture by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Featured Soloist: Sean Botkin
The spotlight of the March series belonged to 18-year-old pianist Sean Botkin, who performed as the featured soloist for Mozart’s Concerto in C Major for Pianoforte and Orchestra, K. 467. Botkin, a senior at the time and a standout talent in the Bay Area, delivered a sophisticated performance of the concerto’s famous Andante and the virtuosic Allegro vivace assai. His appearance with CYS in 1989 served as a significant milestone in a burgeoning career that would later see him become a globally recognized concert pianist and professor, embodying the high caliber of musicianship fostered within the 37th season.
May 1989 Season Finale
Concert Program Overview
The California Youth Symphony brought its 37th season to a powerful close with its "Third Concert" series, performed on May 21st at the Flint Center, De Anza College, and May 28th at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. Under the direction of Dr. Lauren Jakey, the 108-member orchestra—ranging in age from 11 to 17—presented a program of immense scale and dramatic energy. The concert opened with the brass-heavy brilliance of Wagner’s Introduction to Act Three from "Lohengrin" and the iconic Ride of the Valkyries. The second half was dedicated entirely to Dvorak’s monumental Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World"), a choice that highlighted the ensemble's technical maturity and symphonic range.
Featured Soloists: Stephanie Anderson & Shana Priwer
The finale series showcased two distinguished senior soloists who had grown alongside the orchestra over several seasons. Cellist Stephanie Anderson, a 17-year-old senior at Mountain View High School, performed the Allegro moderato from the Boccherini-Grützmacher Concerto for Violoncello in B-Flat Major. Praised by the San Jose Mercury News as a "youthful virtuoso," Stephanie had been a dedicated member of CYS for years, previously highlighted for her commitment to the group even after a family move to Brazil was considered.
Joining her in the spotlight was marimbist Shana Priwer, who performed Paul Creston’s Concertino for Marimba and Orchestra. Shana’s performance of the "Calm" and "Vigorous" movements provided a unique percussive centerpiece to the program. Having started with CYS at the age of 10 as one of the youngest performers to enter the main orchestra, Shana’s solo served as a fitting culmination of her long tenure with the symphony. Both soloists exemplified the high level of individual achievement that CYS fosters in its most dedicated members.
Media and Season Reflection
The media coverage of the May 1989 concerts celebrated the orchestra's consistency and its role as a premier cultural institution for Peninsula youth. With general admission tickets still priced at an accessible $5, the symphony continued to draw large audiences to the Flint Center and San Mateo venues. As the 37th season drew to a close, the departure of seniors like Anderson and Priwer marked the end of a highly successful chapter that had included an international prize in Vienna and the world premiere of new American works. The success of the "New World" Symphony performance served as a final testament to the "serious pursuit of excellence" that defined the orchestra under Dr. Jakey's leadership.
